Education at All Costs? Case of Trinidad’s School Transport

School transport and increasing motorization are considered main causes of traffic congestion in Trinidad. This pilot study aimed at assessing the factors that impact school transport, school selection, and measuring attitudes towards ride sharing for school trips. Primary school students exhibit different school transport demands than secondary school students. Academic excellence is the main factor in selecting secondary schools at the expense of travel distance. School bus program is more preferable than car-pooling, and is highly approved by those using it than those using private vehicles. Living close to school and school bus’s efficiency are the main reasons for unwillingness and willingness respectively, to participate in school bus program. Addressing perceived negatives such as security, can improve attractiveness of shared modes. There is a need of policy change towards school transport in Trinidad if the country has to attain sustainable development.